Mystery surrounds the civic centre today after Newcastle’s most popular rabbit colony appeared to have been wiped out.

The civic centre bunnies have not been seen around the council offices for around six months, with many now fearing the worst for the rabbits.

While council officials say they suspect disease, there have been no tell tale signs of sick rabbits around the grounds.

Other have speculated that the wet winter and accompanying floods may have forced the rabbits out of their Barras Bridge home.

Newcastle Council bosses have been keen to stress they have had no hand in the mysterious rabbit disappearance. The council came in for criticism when rumours emerged in 2010 that it was planning to cull the rabbits amid fears they were burrowing into the civic centre foundations.

Rabbits in the grounds of Newcastle Civic Centre

Those plans caused outrage at the time, though the council said there was never any detailed bunny policy placed on the desk of city leaders.

With one eye on the PR disaster that a homeless rabbit colony would do for the local authority’s image, Newcastle Council has issued an official denial in the latest phase of the bunnygate saga.

Tracey Cuthbert, civic facilities manager for Newcastle City Council, said: “The rabbits are popular with visitors and staff and we’re sorry that they seem to have temporarily disappeared.

“We think there may have been an outbreak of disease, which has led to their demise. However, rabbits are good at re-establishing themselves and we are confident they will return to the civic centre at some point.”

Insiders say they had heard lethal rabbit disease myxomatosis could be to blame, raising the possibility of new rabbits bringing in the disease. Local animal groups say they had heard rumours of a myxomatosis outbreak.

Rabbits in the grounds of Newcastle Civic Centre

Backing the council, was opposition group leader Anita Lower. The Liberal Democrat said she had also noticed the disappearance.

“It really is a great shame, because it was lovely to see them playing here. But I don’t think there’s been any council involvement. If they had tried to poison the rabbits, we’d know about it, they would have poisoned the ducks as well, and they’re fine.

“I know from my own home I used to be able to see rabbits playing outside and they have disappeared as well, so I’m not sure if there has been a disease or the winter hit their numbers.”

Senior North vet Iain Carrington said that, while the cause might not be known, disease was less likely than the council suggested.

“If there had been an outbreak of myxomatosis, we would certainly know about it. There would be signs of the disease in the rabbit population, with very clear symptoms. you would see sick animals, they move slower and are very obviously ill.”

Others have speculated that urban foxes could be to blame.

Whatever the cause, civic centre bosses say they would be delighted to see rabbits return to the site anytime.